Beloved Friend, a work specially commissioned by the Royal Opera House, will be performed as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival on 2 April by an international ensemble of actors, singers and Royal Ballet dancers.

The piece will star celebrated British actor Simon Russell-Beale as Tchaikovsky in a piece that explores the relationship of the composer with his muse and patron Nadezhda von Meck.

Originally conceived for a special gala performance at the Royal Opera House in 2009, Beloved Friend was written by Oscar-winning playwright Ronald Harwood. It was later repeated by request of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Opera House has a long history of touring internationally, most recently with The Royal Ballet's tour of Cuba and both The Royal Opera and Royal Ballet's performances in Japan.

As well as live performance, the Royal Opera House's commitment to international outreach involves cinema screenings, digital initiatives and education work.

Our network of BP Summer Big Screens will bring two of the London 2012 Festival productions to over 20 locations around the UK, ensuring that as many people as possible can share the excitement of free opera and ballet in 2012.

Falstaff
15 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 30 May
(30 May Falstaff will be shown live on BP Summer Big Screens)
A lavish new production of Verdi’s Shakespearean comedy, directed by Robert Carsen. This opera is part of the World Shakespeare Festival.

Otello
12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 July
Antonio Pappano conducts our classic production of Verdi's opera based on Shakespeare’s tale of love and jealousy. This opera is part of the World Shakespeare Festival.

Les Troyens (The Trojans)
25 | 28 June | 1 | 5 | 8 | 11 July
An epic new staging of Berlioz's opera about the rise and fall of empires, directed by David McVicar.

Metamorphosis: Titian 2012
14 | 16 | 17 | 20 July
(16 July Metamorphosis will be shown live on BP Summer Big Screens)
The Royal Ballet present a new work inspired by three Titian paintings, in collaboration with the National Gallery, London. Choreographers, artists, musicians and poets will come together to create a truly remarkable event.

Plácido Domingo’s Operalia Winners
25 July
We celebrate Operalia, the international vocal competition, founded by Plácido Domingo in 1993 to help launch the careers of the best young opera singers. A remarkable cast of singers join Placido Domingo and Antonio Pappano for a one-off event.

With One Voice
2 July
A one-night festival celebrating the artistic skills of performers from the UK and abroad who have experienced homelessness. The event is presented by arts and homelessness charity Streetwise Opera.

The Owl and the Pussycat
The Owl and the Pussycat during the summer of the Games. Featuring a libretto from ex-Monty Python Terry Jones, a new commissioned score from critically acclaimed musician and Oscar-winning (The Full Monty) composer Anne Dudley and directed by Martin Constantine it promises to be an event like no other. This new short opera, directed by Martin Constantine, bridges both the water and the banks along London’s canals and waterways, with performances at various points as it travels from West to East.

This exciting new work is part of the 'Secrets' programme and will be one of the highlights for the London 2012 Festival. Mayor of London presents 'Secrets', a series of extraordinary site-specific collaborations taking place in a range of hidden spaces across the capital in summer 2012, led by major artists and leading cultural organizations.